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A 29-year-old former employees at America’s Best Kids pleaded not guilty Friday to 27 criminal counts and was issued new release conditions in the case against him alleging he took images of unsuspecting female staff members, including some younger than 18, in a staff office that was also used as a private changing room.

Blaine Patrick William Howitt, 29, made his plea before Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Sara Collins, according to court records. The court has prohibited media coverage of all proceedings in this case, citing a victim’s request.

Following his arraignment, the court imposed new release conditions on Howitt — who had posted $250,000 bond a month ago. The latest release conditions include no contact with minor children, except with his own child as long as someone is within Howitt’s line of sight; no electronics with camera or internet capabilities; submitting to polygraph testing; and no contact with victims in the case.

Howitt was arrested by Medford police June 22 after officials with America’s Best Kids, 1914 Sky Park Dr., reported the alleged conduct, believed to have occurred over three years.

ABK has since responded in an official statement that Howitt was terminated from his position upon learning of the criminal charges and it is “cooperating fully with law enforcement.” 

Howitt was arraigned June 23 on two counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, first-degree invasion of privacy and second-degree invasion of privacy.

He was indicted June 30 by a grand jury on charges of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse; seven counts of first-degree invasion of personal privacy; five counts of computer crime; three counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct; and three counts of second-degree invasion of personal privacy. 

Howitt’s alleged victims included at least five female adults and two juveniles, according to information provided by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

Howitt’s next court appearance is at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28.